Switch



Oct. 27, 1931. L. c. HART 1,829,349

SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 193] 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Oct. 27, 1931-.

L. c. HART SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 193] 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L. C. HART Oct. 27, 1931.

SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 195] 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L. C, HART SWITCH FiledJan: 19, 193] 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 EFPC iKZJW L. C. HART Oct. 27, 1931.

SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 193] 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LESTER C. HART, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO LII-VOLTAGE EQUIPMENT COM- PANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA SWITCH Application filed January 19, 1931. Serial No. 509,558.

The invention relates to electric switches, particularly those designed to handle high voltage current. For simplicity in illustration, a single ole unit is shown, but in most cases, the swltches are interconnecteod for three pole operation. The principal object of the invention is to produce a positively acting mechanism which can be operated with little power, such as may be easily exercised by one man through direct lever operating mechanism. A further object is the provision of a construction in which the porcelain insulator which carries the contact member does not act as a stop for the swinging movement of the switch arm, so that danger of injury due to this cause and incident to the impact of a long heavy arm is avoided. Astill further object is to provide a simple construction, not liable to get out of order, in which the power required to give the switch arm its final movement of engagement and disengagement is applied longitudinally of the switch arm, insuring positive operation at this part of the cycle regardless of the length of the switch arm.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 are side elevations showing the switch arm in open and closed position respectively. Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevation views on an enlarged scale of a part of the construction with the parts in open and closed positions respectively similar to the positions occupied in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 shows the parts in an intermediate position. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the parts in the position of Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 7 is a section on the line VIIVII of -Fig. 4. And Fig. 8 is another perspective view from an angle different than that of Fig. 6 and with certain of the parts broken away.

Referring to thegeneral arrangement of. Figs. 1 and 2, 1 is the base member which carriesthe switch mechanism, such base being shown as horizontal, but may be placed in other positions. Secured on the base are the fixed insulators 2 and 3, and the movable insulator 4, the latter being mounted for a movement of rotation. The insulator 2 car ries the contact member 5 having a sleet hood 6 and a slot therebeneath, into which the blade of the switch arm is slid when the switch arm is in closed position. The usual 1laead 7 supplies current to the contact mem- The insulator 3 has secured to its upper endthe bracket 8, to which is bolted rigidly the casting 9, such casting constituting the support for the switch arm and its operating mechanism. A terminal member 10 is secured to the end of the casting 9, to which the lead '11 is connected. Current is supplied from the terminal to the switch arm via the shunt bar 12 and cable connection 13.

The insulator 4 is mounted for rotation upon the base member 1 and provided with a pair of crank arms 14, 14 adapted to be connected to suitable'rods connected to the hand operating lever. The upper end of the insulator is provided with a metal cap 15 having integral therewith the shaft 16 journalled in the bearings 17, 17 (Fig. 7).

Extending transversely of the casting 9 and journalled therein are a pair of shafts 18 and 19. The shaft 18 has keyed thereto a bevel gear 20 which meshes with a similar gear 21 keyed to the upper end of the shaft 16. The shaft 18 is also provided with the pair of operating levers 22 and 23, the latter of which is relatively short and is preferably made integral with the gear 20. The other shaft 19 has keyed to its ends the pair of lever arms 24, 24 and intermediate such ends is provided with a lever 25 connected with the'lever 23 by means of the rod or link 26.

The switch arm 27 is provided at its inner end with a yoke 28 pivotally supported at 'up'on' the ends of the arms 24, 24. The outer end of the switch arm is provided with the usual blade 29 adapted to engage the slot in the contact member 5 when the switch arm is in closed position. The yoke 28 has on its rear side the arm 30'connected to lever 22 by means of the rod or link 31. The side of the cavity in the casting 9 which carries the bevel gears is closed by means of a cap or cover member 32 removably secured in position by means of the bolts 33. A removable cover plate 34 lies above the space carrying the gear 21 (Fig. 7), so that the operating parts are protected from sleet and snow. In order to xcounterbalance the arm 27, a compression spring 35'is employed Whose rear end engages an arm 36-on thegear2l (Fig.= 8') tend ing to rotate the gear in a clockwise direction.

When the mechanism, as'shown and described, is operated to move the switch arm from the" open position" of'Fig; '1 to the closed" position of Fig. 2, such arm is first swung'to approximately a horizontal position with the blade 29 in opposition to the slot'in the con tact member 5, but not in-engagement with such slot, after which a further movement of the operating mechanism moves the arm horizontally into its contactslot; On the reverse movement of the arm from closed position to open position, the reverse of the two motions I above described occurs in thatthe armis first moved horizontally to pull theblade 29 out of its slot in the contact member, after which the arm isswung to vertical position.

That the. link and lever operating mechanism operates as above stated will bereadily un dGIStOOdfby following the movements of the parts fromtheposition of Figs. 1 and 3 to that of Figs. 2' and l, reference'being had parti'cularlyto Figs 3, 4:, and 5. Starting with the parts in theposition of Fig; 3, a rotation of the insulator '4 in a counter clockv wise direction rotates the gear 20in a clockwise direction" through the intermediary of the gear'21'. This rotates the" levers 22, 23,

25, and- 24'- all in a clockwisei'direction; the

shaft 19' being turned by reason'ofthe con nectin'g rod or link"26" between the arms 23 and 25'. This I movement causes: the I switch arm to slwingdown to approximately horizontal position about thepiv'ots lO between thelower end ofsuch arm and the levers 24. The parts are so proportioned that theswitch arm 7 reaches this approximate horizontal position when the 'shaft'18- and arm 23hav'errotated about degrees, at which time the center line-of the shaft 1.8,lthepivot39 and the pivot 38 are in alignment, theparts-oc the position-shown iii-Fig. 5. Thecontinued movement of the shaft 18 and arms 22 and 23 in a'clockwise direction from this position now reverses the movement of the arms 25' and 24 andmoves'them in a counter clockwise direction. 'The'pivot 40 1s thusswung down-- ward and to the right as the connectingrod3l isswu'ng to the right, thGSB'HlQ'VGmQHtS Of the members 24-=and 31' together acting to swing the switch, the foregoing movements are reversed, the first part of the movement withdrawing the blade29 from its slot in a horizontal direction and bringing the parts to the position of Fig; 5 after which the arm is swung upwardtothe position shown in Figs. 1and3." 3

. The operation as described, is an advantageous one for several reasons. Since the swinging movement of the switch arm is com-'7 pleted before its blade engages the contact member, such member and the insulator 1s not exposed to the heavy impact ordinarily borne, by suchmembers'in switches of the type shown employing relatively long arms. The engaging. and disengagingof the switch blade by an endwise movement of the switch arm,-rather'tl an by a swinging movement, is also advantageous as theleverage of the oper atingimechanism is applied .tobetter advantage and the operation. is-more positive as the. spring. effect present when 'a long 'switchlarm is swung laterally from one end isa-voided. The method: of operation :also permitsof the closing of the upper side of thecontact slot whichreceives the swltch arm.

shaft, a-lever arm secured to'the second shaft so as'to move therewith,"a switch. ttI'HlyPlVOilr ally mounted on the. free end ofitheleverarm, L a crank arm carried by each ofthe shafts-so as to turn therewith, a link having its ends pivoted to the ends of the crank arms,a lever secured to the operatingshaft so as. to turn therewith, a connecting rod pivoted at one endto the lever and at its other end to the switch arm intermediateits ends, and meanscupy-ing the: position shown in Fig.5; The lever 22' isnow substantially Vertical, while the arms324 have rotated about 80 degrees to forrotating the operating, shaft.

2. Incombination in a switch operatlng mechanism, asupport, an operating shaftjournalled in the support, a second shaft journalled in thesupport parallel to the first shaft, a lever armsecured to the second shaft so as 'to move therewith, a swltch arm plvotally mountedon the free end of.the lever arm, a' crank arm carried by eachof the shafts, so as to turn therewith, alinkhavlng its endspivoted to the ends of the crank arm's, alever secured to the operating; shaft so as to turn therewith, a connectingwrod pivoted atone end. to the lever and at 1ts other end to theswitcharms-intermediate ends, and means for rotatingzthe operating shaft, said crank arms and thelink there between being arranged so that the rotation of the operating shaft in one direction first turns the second shaft in one direction and then in the reverse direction.

3. In combination in switch operating mechanism, a support, an operating shaft journalled in the support, a second shaft journalled in the support parallel to the first shaft, a lever arm secured to the second shaft so as to move therewith, a switch arm pivotally mounted on the free end of the lever arm, a crank arm carried by each of the shafts so as to turn therewith, a link having its ends pivoted to the ends of the crank arms, a lever secured to the operating shaft so as to turn therewith, a connecting rod pivoted at one end to the lever and at its other end to the switch arm intermediate its ends and means for rotating the operating shaft, the operating parts being so arranged that the rotation of the operating shaft in one direction swings the arm about its pivotal support on the lever arm and then moves it endwise and so that the rotation of the operating shaft in the reverse direction first moves the switch arm endwise and then swings it about its pivotal support on the lever arm.

4. In combination in a switch construction, a contact member, a rocker shaft carrying a rocker arm adjacent the contact member, a switch arm pivoted on the end of the rocker arm, an operating shaft to the rear of the rocker arm having a lever secured thereto, a link having pivotal connection to said lever and to the switch arm intermediate its ends, means for rotating the operating shaft, and connections between the operating shaft and rocker shaft so that the rotation of the operating shaft in one direction gives the rocker shaft and its arm a movement of oscillation so as to move the switch arm endwise to cause its end to engage and disengage the contact member when the switch arm is at the end of its swinging movement toward closed position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 13th day of January,

LESTER C. HART. 

